Monthly Archives: November 2016

Welcome,Daphine Priscilla Brown-Jack. For those who might not be familiar with you, would you be a dear and tell the readers a little about yourself?

(Daphine) I have been married for almost 27 years, I have 4 amazing children 2 boys 2 girls. I love life, and love to keep it simple. I don’t stress the negativity in life.

(Kameron)How did you get your start in the writing business?

(Daphine) Early years I would write poems without the thought of writing a book. As an adult and my life was changed and I was intrigue to write a book and let the world know that whatever you go through you can out!

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, please share how you handle it.

(Daphine) I just stop and reflect take a few days away from my writing and then start back up again.

Contrary to what some people envision about a romance writer’s life, it’s not all glitz and glam. Well not for the majority of us. With that bubble sadly busted, when you’re not writing, how to do you spend your time?

(Daphine) I spend my time with family promoting my daughter’s music as well as my book. I also like to travel, just got back from Los Angeles and had the pleasure of meeting with Stevie Wonder at the bookstore while leaving a copy of my book. My assistance and I had almost an half of hour conversation with him. He is an amazing and extraordinary man from God. Also he invited back to his radio show to talk about my book.

I know many writers, such as myself, keep their pastime/career a secret. Do those close to you know you write? If so, what are their thoughts?

(Daphine) Most close did not know that I write LOL and I didn’t either. But their thoughts are will you write another, or will you start writing as a career!

Will you share with us your all time favorite authors? If you’re like me, it’s a long list so give us your top ten.

If you could choose one book to go to the big screen, yours or otherwise, which book would you choose and whom would you love see casted in the parts?

(Daphine) I would choose my book to go to the big screen and would love to see casted is Blair Underwood, Michael Ealey, Loretta Devine.

On August 26, 2009, Daphine Priscilla Brown-Jack thought everything was fine. While driving home from work, she began to reflect on her day, grateful for all her blessings. But just as her gut instinct told her something was wrong, her phone rang. As her daughter relayed news of an allegation against her husband–the man who was always serving and loving God and his family–Daphine’s life plunged into turmoil. Suddenly, nothing was fine.

In the coming months as the situation in her home grew unbearable, Daphine knew she could no longer depend on anyone and turned to her only remaining hope and strength: God. As she relives the emotional experience of watching her life fall apart before her eyes, Daphine provides a compelling glimpse inside her personal journey as she separated fact from fiction, navigated through the criminal justice system, and learned to trust in God’s purpose and plan for her life.

The Other Side of the Story is the inspirational true story of one woman’s struggles within herself, her family, her faith, and the justice system after her husband is wrongfully accused of a crime.

Before we conclude this enlightening interview, do you have anything else you’d like to share? The stage is all yours.

(Daphine) When you read my book look beyond trying to find the detail of the story but learn from the story. Learn how to not give up when going through a struggle. Learn how to be persistence when going through a struggle. Learn that your struggle will end. As one critic say “This was a very thoughtful, compassionate and compelling story of struggle and faith”. Another reader states: “First and foremost, Daphine’s writing style is incredibly engaging. The Other Side of the Story is a certified page-turner. I just couldn’t put it down! This is made all the more impressive by the fact that the author never reveals what the accusations against her husband are. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if she’d be able to hold my attention as reader, without going into detail on the charges. I’m no author myself, but if I was, I might have taken the easy route and attempted to hook the reader with the “tell-all” strategy. Instead, it was Daphine’s skillful storytelling abilities that kept me riveted to my seat (and gripping the armrest).”

Daphine, I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy day and sharing a bit of yourself with me and whomever graciously reads this interview. I’m sure when they finish this and The Other Side of the Story, readers will be in awe of your strength and your profound faith. You and your family could’ve stopped fighting but you didn’t. That shows great character and penning down your story also takes courage which I, like many others, applaud you for. I congratulate you and wish you the very best in life.

The vampire spends his nights chanting the Liturgy of the Hours and ruthlessly disciplines those unnatural urges he’s vowed never again to indulge. He is at the command of the White Monks, who summon him at will to destroy demons. In return, the monks provide for his sustenance and promise the return of his immortal soul.

The 22-year-old college grad just moved across the country to work for some recluse he can’t even find on the internet. Sounds sketchy, but the salary is awesome and he can’t afford to be picky. On arrival he discovers a few details his contract neglected to mention, like the alligator-infested swamp, the demon attacks, and the nature of his employer’s “special diet”. A smart guy would leave, but after one look into Dupont’s mesmerizing eyes, Sarasija can’t seem to walk away. Too bad his boss expected “Sara” to be a girl.

Falling in love is hard at any age…

The vampire can’t fight his hungers forever, especially since Sara’s brought him light, laughter and a very masculine heat. After yielding to temptation, Thaddeus must make a choice. Killing demons may save his soul, but keeping the faith will cost him his heart.

When an author sets out to write any story, no matter the genre, he or she ponders how they can make their story different, stand out among the crowd. For stories centering around vampires, it’s hard to come up with a unique twist that’ll keep you firmly planted in a reader’s mind. Marvel comics brought us Blade, the day-walking vamp. Irene Preston & Liv Rancourt delivered us Thaddeus Dupont, a vampire who is unique in his own right.

Thaddeus had heighten senses, mind control, slept like the dead, and had superior speed and strength compared to normal men. However, he had a few slight differences that’s usually not synonymous with the bloodsuckers. Most authors don’t mention a vampire having a heartbeat. However, Thaddeus had a faint one. Holy water and crosses have been known to be a vampire’s kryptonite. Him, no effect. Also, how many vampires in the books/movies/shows you’ve entertained yourself with had a vampire working with the church? How many vampires do you recall pray, quote scriptures?

Thaddeus worked with the church in hopes of earning his soul back. He reminded me of Angel (tv show and character). Another vampire who battled evil, day in and day out. Like Angel, Thaddeus battled his dark urges and, despite all odds, found love.

With all the positives regarding “Vespers”, one area didn’t ring true to me. I get Sara’s desperation to help out HIS family, including accepting a job 3000 miles away without actually meeting the bossman. Desperate times call for desperate measures and all that. However if my boss turned out to be a bloodsucker and I just watched him DINE AND DASH, I think I would’ve reacted a bit differently than Sara. He just found out fiction became fact in a bloody way. Maybe it’s the girl in me, but I might’ve screamed a whole lot of obscenities such as: “What the f*ck!?” “Holy f*ck!” Or, “*!*@&#^$%*!*@&#^$%$%%*!*@&$%*!**@&” <—–> One gigantic combination of curse words in a long freak-out.

Thaddeus and Sarasija are spending the holidays on the bayou, and while the vampire’s idea of Christmas cheer doesn’t quite match his assistant’s, they’re working on a compromise. Before they can get the tree trimmed, they’re interrupted by the appearance of the feu follet. The ghostly lights appear in the swamp at random and lead even the locals astray.

When the townsfolk link the phenomenon to the return of their most reclusive neighbor, suspicion falls on Thaddeus. These lights aren’t bringing glad tidings, and if Thad and Sara can’t find their source, the feu follet might herald a holiday tragedy for the whole town.

This holiday novella can be enjoyed alone or as book 1.5 of the Hours of the Night Series. Bonfire takes place theDecember after the events in Vespers.

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)

Thaddeus Dupont isn’t your ordinary vampire. He’s a hitman for the Catholic church, eliminating the world of the demons he’s assigned. He’s also a vamp in love with a man, donates money to a women’s shelter, and celebrates Christmas.

Yeah, Christmas and vampires shouldn’t go together. Picking out a tree, decorating it, and gift exchanging isn’t common practice for blood suckers. Stepping out of the norm is was separates Liv and Irene from the other vampire/supernatural writers. For me, I never know what new human quality they’ll have Thaddeus possess. It’s the tiny things that turn an ordinary book to extraordinary.

Now despite the praise I showed for them, I had to knock off some points for a couple reasons.

1.) Thaddeus is several decades old but he wasn’t familiar with the term commando. Seemed quite unlikely.

2.) When Sara went missing in the swamp, Dupont couldn’t locate him. He was on the lookout for his light. I thought due to him consuming Sara’s blood (quite regularly, too) he would be able to find him anywhere, anytime. Yet, Thaddeus only located him when he heard Sara singing Christmas carols. That section went completely against everything I have learned.

Other than those two things, I rather enjoyed the unorthodox Christmas tale and I think so shall you.

Irene Preston has to write romances, after all she is living one. As a starving college student, she met her dream man who whisked her away on a romantic honeymoon across Europe. Today they live in the beautiful hill country outside of Austin, Texas where Dream Man is still working hard to make sure she never has to take off her rose-colored glasses.

I write romance: m/f, m/m, and v/h, where the h is for human and the v is for vampire … or sometimes demon … I lean more towards funny than angst. When I’m not writing I take care of tiny premature babies or teenagers, depending on whether I’m at home or at work. My husband is a soul of patience, my dog’s cuteness is legendary, and we share the homestead with three ferrets. Who steal things. Because they’re brats.

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I don’t particularly like the food which centers around this day. My family considers me an odd duck because I don’t care for the smell or taste of turkey, ham, stuffing or pumpkin pie.

My ideal Thanksgiving feast consists of taco pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, and cheesecake — which I will be serving at my Thanksgiving gathering later this week.

To appease the turkey lovers though, I will venture over to my sister’s house and fill up on her lumpy mashed potatoes and buttered rolls. Surprisingly, her potatoes have grown on me.. unlike the ham and bird.

In all seriousness, this holiday really is about family and friends. So I say unto you, enjoy the food but be thankful for the meal, say thank you to your cook/kitchen helpers, and make the most out of the time you spend with your loved ones.

For those who can and do volunteer this holiday season, I want to thank you for making someone’s Thanksgiving day a little brighter and their stomach a little fuller.

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Before you get a peak at Swaggered (Blue Collar Boys, Book 3), please read the special note from Carol Rose to all of you.

An Audacious Romance Hero

I know this isn’t true for everyone, but I find audacious, teasing, funny heroes sexy. I like men who make me laugh. My beloved (of too many years to mention) has this ability and he has said that he thinks this is why I’m with him. He’s not totally wrong. The man is hot, but so engaging and playful that I’ve always had a thing for him.

My hero in Swaggered (Blue Collar Boys, Book 3) has this ability and when he initially came to me he was as charming as George Clooney, only a tad younger. Of all the three brothers who do architectural salvage together, Tyler Thompson has the murkiest background and some of the darkest fears. He was abandoned by his biological father and drug-using mother and lovingly adopted into the Thompson clan as a teenager.

His is perhaps the strangest path to happiness in that he’s drawn into a sudden marriage by a woman he’s long had a yen for. Amanda Sinclair has directed the office at his family’s Scruffy Boys Architectural Salvage yard for several years, but she’s always been cautious of flashy, outgoing womanizer Tyler. When she marries him in a weakened, unbeknownst-to-him-drunken state, they end up having to deal with each other in ways she’d never have expected.

I loved writing the Blue Collar Boys heroes because I’ve always had a thing for men who work with their hands, as well as, their heads. This may appear strange because both my beloved and I are therapists who have advanced degrees. Seems like we’d just be good with working with our heads, but I fell for him when we worked side-by-side on physical projects as teens.

He’s really good with his hands…if you know what I mean.

Check out Swaggered (Blue Collar Boys, Bk 3). I hope you love it as much as I do.

In Las Vegas for his brother’s wedding, Tyler Thompson can’t believe his luck when his long-time crush Amanda Sinclair proposes that they get hitched. He and Amanda share a sexy, hot night of marital bliss, but when Amanda wakes up hung over and appalled to find herself naked and married to Tyler, it looks like his hopes of a happy ever after are over.

Although she drawn to Tyler, Amanda has vowed to never get involved with a player again. Annulment is the only option, until she learns that she is pregnant

Will Tyler be able to make peace with his past and convince Amanda that he no longer has any interest in other woman? Or will their decisions destroy them?

Tyler woke slowly, swimming up from unconsciousness, aware of sunlight from somewhere, playing against his closed eyelids. He never woke up well and he’d learned to let it happen in increments. As he surfaced against the heaviness pulling him back to sleep, he became conscious of a comfortable bed under him and the warm pressure of—

A soft shriek close to his left ear, swiftly followed by a gasp, snapped his eyes open. He was always blurry at this point, but he immediately recognized a few things. He was in a barely-familiar hotel room…in Las Vegas, he thought, for his brother Noah’s wedding to Natalie…and a very warm and sexy Amanda was in bed with him.

A very naked, sexy and agitated Amanda was in bed beside him, now holding a sheet clutched to her beautiful chest like a shield.

“I’m awake. I’m awake.” He struggled to pull himself upright against the pillow, blinking as his brain waves shifted.

“Tyler!” Amanda moved on the bed next to him, bouncing the mattress.

He stuck out a hand. “Can you just sit still for a moment and stop yelling, so I can wake up?”

“No!” She did say this in a more moderate tone, however, bending to cradle her tousled head in her hands, her shoulder-length brown hair sticking out in odd directions. “What are we doing here? Oh-my-god, oh-my-god. My head is killing me and I think I’m going to be sick.”

Looking around his side of the bed, Tyler found a waste basket. “Here. Use this.”

“Are you crazy?” she moaned, throwing her legs off the bed, the sheet still clutched to her chest. “I’m not throwing up right here in front of you. I need the bathroom.”

Coming more fully awake, Tyler couldn’t help grinning. “If you’re planning on taking that sheet with you, you should be aware that I think I’m naked under here. You might get to see my morning glory, if you get what I mean.”

Amanda shrieked again softly, throwing her hand up to blinker one side of her vision as she continued climbing out of the king-sized bed. “Don’t come over here!”

“I’m not going anywhere.” He tucked his hands behind his head. “Take the sheet if you want it.”

Suddenly, she stopped tugging at the sheet and stood next to the bed with her right hand shielding her eyes from seeing him and her left hand lifted in front of her. She seemed frozen.

In a jerky movement, she stuck her left hand out in front of him, turning to glare at Tyler. “Tell me what’s on this hand. There is—there is a ring on my finger! Look at this!”

“Yes.” He blinked, still trying to clear the sleep fog from his brain. “Yes, there is.”

Tyler couldn’t help grinning.

“Looks like a wedding ring to me, Honey.” Reaching out, he rolled forward on the bed to take her outstretched hand in his as much for the contact as anything else, he studied the rock on her third finger. “Nice one, too.”

“A ring with a huge rock!”

He looked down at the ring. “I don’t know. I don’t think it looks over-sized. It’s what? About two carats?”

“What!” She looked at him in shock, snatching back her left hand.

“Tyler! I. Am. Not. Married!” she shrieked and then cringed, holding her head, saying in a whisper, “At least I wasn’t yesterday.”

He shoved his hand behind the wrinkled sheets. If she’d noticed, he wore a matching band on his finger. “Looks like you are now.”

Tyler met her stricken gaze, his stomach plummeting at the look in her fine brown eyes as apparently the reality of their actions sunk in. In that moment, he knew Amanda didn’t feel as excited as he did about their marriage. Even the $15,000 ring didn’t brighten her eyes.

She clutched her midsection then and started dragging again at the sheet. With awkward moments that were hampered by her trying to pull the tucked-in sheet from under the cover on the bed, she lurched backwards. Finally, she wheeled around awkwardly, the sheet winding around her delicious body.

“Girl—“ He cleared his throat. “Girl, just go to the bathroom. You don’t have anything that I haven’t seen.” That one stricken look on her face told him the road was rocky ahead and he knew better than to say how recently he’d seen the gorgeous curves under her sheet.

Just then, Amanda moaned again, stumbling back a few steps as the sheet came free. Turning she ran to the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her.

Trying to ignore her retching sounds like a gentleman, Tyler got off the bed and started searching for his clothes. He didn’t think she wanted to come out to find him sprawled naked on the bed. Despite her clear distress at the wedding ring on her finger, he grinned at the thought of it. Set up identical to the one he’d checked into two days ago, this was Amanda’s room. He hadn’t been wasted when they headed back here for fun time and her stuff was scattered around the room.

In a far corner, he found his boxers, while his jeans had ended up straddling a chair by the table.

After pulling on his jeans, he went over to the closed bathroom door. Leaning in, he thought he heard her sniffling. “Amanda, honey. Are you okay?”

The bathroom door opened rapidly and he straightened, unable to stop the smile that spread across his face. Even like this, hungover with her hair messy, he loved waking up to Amanda.

“No,” she snapped, her brown eyes bloodshot and damp. “I feel like hell. Is there some water out there? My mouth is dry and my head is pounding.”

“Sure. Let me get you some.” He went over to the mini-fridge, pulling out a bottle of water.

Having staggered out of the bathroom with the sheet still wrapped around her like a toga, Amanda sank down on the foot of the bed. She took the bottle he handed her, cracking it open and taking a swallow.

Tyler stood watching her, not sure what came next.

Heaving a shuddering breath, she met his gaze like a woman facing up to her mistakes. “Did we, uh, spend the night together? I remember–”

Knowing the road ahead would probably be rocky, he squatted down next to her. “Yes. Yes, we did.”

Amanda closed her eyes as if to gather herself. “I don’t remember…everything, but…this wasn’t a platonic sleepover, was it?”

“No. It wasn’t.” It didn’t do much for a man’s ego that she seemed so shattered by the fact.

Opening her eyes, she started slowly shaking her head. “I wasted my college years. I spent all my time studying and working.”

He couldn’t help smiling at this. “What? Why?”

“If I’d partied more, I would have built up more of a tolerance to handle alcohol.” Amanda stared ahead of her, her face locked in self-recrimination.

He lifted his head to her accusing glare, volunteering, “There’s a marriage license over on the table.”

Her head snapped in the direction of the table and she gulped in air. “No. Oh, no.”

Leaning forward, Tyler looked at her in concern. “Amanda?”

“Who’s…? Who does it say I married?”

Standing up, he went over to the table, lifting the stiff legal document decorated with elaborate printed flowers. Tyler turned back to her, knowing his disappointment and hurt probably showed on his face. “You really don’t remember?”

“Just tell me!” She wailed softly, her hand bracing her head as if she thought it might fall off.

“You know who. Me, Amanda. You married me. We are…married.” It had been pretty much one of the best nights of his life, but he clearly couldn’t say that to her at this moment.

Jumping up, she clutched at her stomach again, wailing, “This can’t be happening! I can’t—we can’t— I need to—“

Watching in concern, he saw her lunge again toward the rest room in her makeshift toga, pausing only to snag her purse from the low chest that held a television.

Tyler watched her. “Honey, are you hyper-ventilating? Do you need a paper bag to breathe into?”

Slamming the bathroom door behind her, Amanda reached over to turn on the sink faucet, letting the water rush out to cover any noise before she knelt on the cold tile floor in front of the toilet and retched into the ceramic bowl, fumbling in a frenzy to raise the seat. In a few moments, she lay back on the hard floor, promising heaven she’d never over-drink again. When she could think again—her stomach no longer wrenching inside her for the moment—she groped for her abandoned purse and gingerly fished out her phone.

She’d never done such a stupid, insane thing in her life. Married! And to a sexy, hot, man-whore like Tyler?! What was wrong with her? Why did she keep getting with men who couldn’t be faithful to one woman? After the last debacle, she’d promised herself she’d pick a better man next time. A man who knew not to drop his pants for every woman he met. Not a guy like Tyler.

Fumbling to find the phone icon, she scrolled past her brother’s number and those of her parents, shuddering at the thought of confessing this to her family—God, she’d not only gotten blind drunk, but when in that condition, she’d apparently married a sexed up, hotter-than-a-man-should-be, outright dog.

Tyler. Random snatches of memory floated into her brain then—the two of them lost in panting, straining…terrific sex. Amanda closed her eyes in shame, the memories spilling through her head. She’d ridden him like the stallion he resembled. And she’d really, really…really enjoyed doing it.

After years of giving him hell for sleeping with everyone from a college professor to a woman he’d met at a convenience store, she’d let herself get into the condition where she’d actually married him. Not just had sex with him, which would have been more acceptable considering the sex dreams she’d had about him before.

Granny’s dying, but Zoraida can save her with a magic crystal of smoky quartz. Too bad the crystal is in Scotland—in a haunted castle—guarded by mind-reading, psychopathic sorcerers.

Getting inside Castle Logan is easy. Getting out––not so much. Before she can snatch the stone, Zoraida stumbles into a family feud, uncovers a wicked ancient curse, and finds herself ensorcelled by not one but two handsome Scottish witches.

Up to their necks in family intrigue and smack-dab in the middle of a simmering clan war, Zoraida and her best friend Zhu discover Granny hasn’t told them everything. Not by a long shot.

When Sorchia DuBois contacted me and asked me to review her story, I was more than willing to offer up my services. I love books about witches, old castles, and Scotland so all three rolled up into one…. It was a no-brainer. I just had to read “Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones” and you should too.

There wasn’t a chapter, a solitary page, where Zoraida didn’t encounter or reflect upon something magical. As we learn through flashbacks, there’s magic in all things and there’s those who weld the power of black magic. As in life, there’s always those who’ll do anything to quench their thirst for power and Michael Logan proved he was such person.

From the get go that man rubbed me the wrong way, Zoraida, too. He used his magic to tap into people’s thoughts and used seduction spells against them. That’s so very wrong. He’s so despicable. Sorchia, marvelous job on developing a character the readers will surely loathe and look forward to his ultimate downfall. Unfortunately, besides a busted nose, he’s walked away to fight another day.

As for the reason Zoraida came to Scotland — the Healing Stone. It wasn’t as simple as walking into the castle and walking back out with in her suitcase. Luckily for her, she made a sort of alliance with a mysterious and alluring sorcerer, Shea. Everything about him drew me in. His tales of the past, his broodiness, and his powerful aura. I can’t wait to see what Sorchia has planned for him in book 2.

For the ending, well, imagine the end of first Lord of the Rings movie. You know, the scene with Frodo and Sam were looking out over the land that lain between them and Mount Doom. Well, “Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones” ending gave me the same impression the LOTR ending did. The scene just stopped and you just know when part 2 picks up, something major is on the horizon, and you can’t wait to see it unfold.

Sorchia Dubois lives in the piney forest of the Missouri Ozarks with eight cats. She edits technical writing and fiction part time, but she spends at least five hours per day tapping out paranormal romance, Gothic murder, and Scottish thrillers.

Her books delve into the riddles of life—Karma, reincarnation, psychic powers, mysticism, ancient cultures, and good old fashioned “ghosties and ghoulies and long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night.”

A proud member of the Ross clan, Sorchia incorporates all things Celtic (especially Scottish) into her works. She can often be found swilling Scotch at Scottish festivals. Online, you can find her blog, Sorchia’s Universe, at www.sorchiadubois.com